Mr Wallace said he was pleased to see the completion of such an important project on the Gold Coast.

“Now the project is completed, we have an efficient and modern road with reduced congestion and improved public transport services – benefits that will be shared by all road users,” Mr Wallace said.

“I have visited the project twice since I became the Main Roads Minister, and seen the progress made. It is such a pleasure to be back here today to see the project completed.”

Mr Wallace said there was a hive of road construction activities continuing across the Gold Coast.

“As part of our record $18 billion infrastructure program, the Bligh Government is jointly funding upgrades of the M1 on the Gold Coast with the Federal Government, as well as further upgrades to the Gold Coast Highway and Hope Island Road,” he said. “In total, we’re investing about $461 million in road construction in the South Coast region this year, protecting jobs for about 3820 people in the region.”

An average of 61 direct and indirect jobs were sustained over the life of the Gold Coast Highway upgrade and bus lanes project.

“The first stage of the project from Alexandra Avenue at Broadbeach to Hilda Street at Mermaid Beach was completed in September 2008,” Mr Wallace said. “The project team then started worked immediately on the second stage from Hilda Street at Mermaid Beach to Chairlift Avenue at Miami.”

Ms Smith welcomed the completion of the upgrade, which she said would greatly improve public transport travel for Gold Coast residents.

“This four-kilometre upgrade will link the existing sections of the bus lanes into continuous lanes alongside four general traffic lanes,” Ms Smith said. “These bus lanes will support more frequent and reliable bus services.

“The highway between Broadbeach and Miami has also been fully reconstructed and upgraded to provide motorists with an improved road surface, as well as new traffic signals, linemarking and street lighting.”

Mr Wallace said central median fencing was also installed to improve pedestrian safety, bringing all pedestrians and vehicle crossings under the control of traffic signals.

“The safety of all road users is one of the department’s top priorities and the installation of median fencing along sections of the Gold Coast Highway through Mermaid Beach will help ensure pedestrians use the appropriate signalised intersections to safely cross the highway,” he said.

“All pedestrian and vehicle crossings on this particular section of the Gold Coast Highway are now controlled by traffic signals, which not only improves safety for the community, but also ensures traffic can flow more smoothly through the section.”

Mr Wallace said the decision to install the fencing was based on the results of road safety audits and the need to implement measures to reduce the risk of fatalities and injuries to pedestrians.

The U-turn facility at Bondi Avenue has also been realigned to improve safety.

“The department undertook these works as a result of feedback from local residents,” Mr Wallace said. “This has been a complicated construction project in a highly trafficked route, and the department appreciates patience from motorists, business owners and residents during the upgrade works.”

All the traffic signals along the Gold Coast Highway from Pacific Fair Drive to Chairlift Avenue will continue to be reviewed and coordinated to enhance traffic flow now the works are completed.